Sleeve assembling apparatus for lithographic rolls



Nov. 25, 1947. N. A. MACK 2,431,407

SLEEVE SSEMBLING APPARATUS FOR LITHOGRAPHIC ROLLS Filed March 13, 1946 2 sheets-sheet 1` l INVENTOR. /brmwjy Nov.z5, 1947. NMACK 2,431,407

SLEEVE ASSEMBI-.IING APPARATUS FOR LITHOGRAPHIC ROLLS Filed March 13, 194e 2 shets-Vsneet 2 w13 j i@ I 29 f iw u 35 l 5 y 5 36374636 2', l y 2g i 34 i 2f 3)@ I 1 I E i i l i; I 3 1 I j 25 i V i l g' 26'" 35 l i 25 44 QQ f 4 i 45 3Q; s I l 27 26 26 27 J5 mgl i J INVENTOR. /bfmcm/ @Wach Patented Nov. 25, 194'? Niro S PTENT OFFICE SLEEVE ASSEMBLING APPARATUS FOR LITHGGRAPHIC ROLLS Norman A. Mack, Riverside, Ill., assignor to Roberts & Porter, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois 1.6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in outer jackets for moistening and inking rollers of lithographie printing machines and the like and also to apparatus for applying such jackets, in tubular form, to such rollers.

The present invention constitutes an improvement over the construction disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 611,339, led August 18, 1945, for the same subject.

The apparatus disclosed in the aforesaid application relates to a machine for re-sleeving lithograph rolls with a material such as Molletom which machine is manually operated. The present invention relates to a power operated machine for the same purpose which dilers in constructional details from the manually operated machine and is easier to operate and faster than the former machine.

The general practice which has been extensively used in jacketing rollers of the character above referred to, consists in sewing around the roller a piece of relatively resilient, comparatively thick fabric material having liquid absorbent characteristics. One of the fabric materials which has been extensively used is termed Molietom the thickness of which is in excess of 1A; inch and which in general has been found very satisfactory for distributing liquid evenly and uniformly over the plate. The jacketing material is sewed around the roller along the longitudinal abutting marginal edges thereof, and each of the overhanging end portions of the material has a draw-cord stitched to the marginal edges thereof, by over-hand stitching, so that the cords may be drawn taut to form the overhanging portions of the jacket snugly around the end portions of the roller and in surrounding relation to the projecting shaft portions of the roller. The ends of the cords are then tied rmly together.

Such coverings are removed from the rollers, after they are soiled by ink and moistening fluid, by severing the stitching and scraping them ofi the roller. The matter of renewing outer jackets of such rollers is extremely time consuming, and it usually requires three to four hours to sew a fresh jacket or covering onto a roller of average length.

Rollers for lithographing machines generally range from 2 inches to 3% inches in diameter and from E/2 inches to 79 inches in length. Such rollers usually include a central co-re or shaft of metal surrounded by a body of resilient material, such as rubber. The rubber body is usually covered by one or more intermediate layers of suitable resilient material such as flannel, knitted ing machines with a minimum of hand operations.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved tubular outer jacket and novel apparatus for applying said jacket to rollers of lithographing machines in a manner so as to result in a saving of several hours time as compared to present day conventional methods of producing and applying outer jackets to such rollers.

Another object is to provide a novel apparatus for applying a preformed tubular outer jacket to rollers of litho-graph printing machines in a few minutes time.

A further object is to provide novel apparatus for quickly and easily applying a preformed tubular outer jacket to a roller of a lithograph printing machine and wherein said apparatus may be quickly and easily adjusted for performing a jacketing operation on rollers of various lengths.

Still another object is to provide novel apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine and wherein said apparatus is relatively simple in construction, durable and eflicient in operation, and capable of being economically manufactured.

A still further object is to provide a novel, preformed tubular outer jacket for rollers of lithograph printing machines having means at one end thereof for quickly and easily constricting the end portion of the tubular jacket to form a transverse shoulder for snugly tting against the end portion of the roller in surrounding relation to the metallic projecting end portions of the core or shaft of the roller.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a power operated machine" for the purpose described, wherein the jacket, which has been applied to a mandrel, is forced over the roller and the mandrel thereupon readily removed from the roller.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a power operated machine of simple and sturdy construction for the purpose described.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the novel apparatus and the novel form of tubular jacket embodying the present invention, with a roller and jacket shown positioned preparatory to insertion into the apparatus for performing a jacketing operation thereon, the dotted lines showing the jacket partially applied to the roller;

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1 and showing the roller and the apparatus in a position at which the roller has been telescoped into the jacket; the dotted lines show the mandrel removed;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the aD- paratus shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a partial vertical sectional View of the apparatus taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial vertical sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2; and

Figure '1 is a fragmentary View of one end of the jacket.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of the invention, numeral Il designates generally a frame structure for the machine and includes a base I2, an upright angle member I3 secured thereto, an upper platform I4 supported by the angle member I3 and suitable upper and lower brackets I 5 and I6 for bracing the platform I4 and the angle member I2.

A driving motor I1 and a suitable gear box I8 are mounted on the platform I4. The motor I1 drives` reversible gears (not shown) in the gear box I8 through a shaft and coupling I9, and the gears rotate a worm or threaded screw 2l, The worm 2| extends vertically the full height of the machine and has its upper end journalled in a bearing 22 in the platform I4. andv its lower end journalled Iin a bearing 23 in the base I2;

As best shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a traveling bracket generally indicated at 2.4 is threaded on the worm 2l by a threaded boss 25 in a back plate 30. A flat platform 2.6.is formed integrallyV with the back plate 3U and is provided with av relatively large central aperture 21, The bracket 24 is provided with slots 28` which engage sides 29 of the angle piece I3and the bracket is thus guided and prevented from swinging about the worm 2 I. Bracing members 3| extend forwardly from the back plate Bilto the platform 26. A vertical guiding tube 32 is threaded into a boss 33V onvthe base` I2 f0.1 a purpose hereinafter described.

When it is necessary to renew soiled outer i ackets of rollers of lithograph machines, said outer jackets are cut oif the roller in a customary manner, as by means of a knife. A jacket 34, which is to constitute the outer cover for al roller, indicated at 35, is preformed as a tube and when made of materials such as Molleton'the abutting marginal longitudinal edgesare stitched tegether at 35a, preferably on a sewing machine and the tubular jacket 34 is internally dimensionedto insure a tight t on the roller 35.

The roller 35 isof usual construction, including a central metallic core 36, surrounded by a body of resilient material 31, such as rubber, the latter being incased inone or more coverings 38. of suitable material, such as flannel and/or knitted wool or cotton. Projecting end portions 39 of the core of theV roller are of suitable length and diameter for mounting in the bearings of a,

lithographing machine.

Rollers for lithographing machines, as stated, vary in length and also in bearing diameter, and

4 the present machine is adapted to handle quite a variety of roller sizes, as will appear as the description proceeds.

The tubular jacket 34 is of a length to provide overhanging end portions when it surrounds the roller and at least one end portion, as best shown in Figure '7, is provided with aV multiplicity of circumferentially spaced apart metallic eyelets 4I, through which is threaded a suitable draw-string or cord 42. The eyelets serve to firmly grip the fabric between the shoulders thereof and provide a strong durable fastening on which substantial strain may be imposed without tearing the fabric, The eyelets may be formed in the end portion of the jacket, either prior to the forming of the material as a tube, or after it is formed. Preferably, the other end of the tube 34 is sewn by hand after it is applied to the roller 35, but this end may also be provided with eyelets and a drawstring, if desired.

When the roller 35 is to be covered with a new tubular jacket 34, the draw-string 42 is drawn together to form a transverse stop shoulder as indicated at 43, against which the end of a mandrel, generally indicated at 44, is adapted to abut when the tube 34 is placed thereon, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. When the tube 34 is on the roller 35, the shoulder 43 abuts one end of the roller 35 with the stub of the bearing shaft 39 extending therethrough. By utilizing the eyelets and drawstring, I have found that about one hour in time is saved which would ordinarily be required in sewing the end of the jacket in the manner heretofore practiced.

The mandrel 44 comprises an elongated body of bifurcated form, providing a pair of elongated resilient fingers 45 of circular contour in cross sect-ion. The ngers 45 are formed as sheet metal stampings and have lower ends bent to form transversely extending flanges 46, which flanges are firmly gripped between a pair of annular metallic rings 41 and 48 held together by screws 49. The rings 41 and 48 together with the flanges 46 constitute a head adapted to be engaged by the platform 26 of the movable bracket 24, with the body of the mandrel projecting through the aperture 21 in the platform 25. The aperture 21 is large enough to accommodate a large number of different size rollers,

The jacket 34 of Molleton is first applied to the mandrel 44, the mandrel being of such a size i that it fits the interior of the jacket 34 very snugly and also of such a size that the resilient fingers 45 expand slightly when the mandrel is forced over the roller 35. Therefore, when the relatively thin mandrel 44 is withdrawn from the jacket 34, the jacket grips the roller with a very snug t.

After the jacket 34 is forced on the mandrel 44 so that the ends of the mandrel ngers 45 are adjacent the shoulder 43 of the jacket, which has been formed by drawing on the drawstring 42, the jacket and mandrel are placed on the machine in the position shown in Figure 1 and the bracket 24 is run downwardly by operating the motor I1 and screw 2| through a convention- The bracket 24 continues to travel downwardly until the jacket and mandrel are forced completely over the roller 35 and the shoulder 43 of the jacket 34 abuts against an upper shoulder 53 of the roller 35. The upper stub shaft 39 then extends out of the jacket 34, as shown in Figure 2. The bracket 24 continues to travel downwardly on screw 2|, thus withdrawing the mandrel 44 from the jacket 34 and roller 35, thus leaving the jacket 34 snugly fitting the roller 35. The bracket 24 is shown in its lowermost position in dotted lines in Figure 2, but ordinarily it is not necessary to run the bracket 24 down this far, as the mandrel 44 falls down by gravity before the bracket 24 reaches the bottom of its travel. After the mandrel 44 falls out, the covered roller is removed from the machine and the drawstring 42 is drawn tight about its stud 39. Preferably, the other end of the jacket 34 is hand sewn closely around its stud 39.

The bracket is then run upwardly on worm 2| by operating the main reversing switch 5| which reverses the rotation of motor I7 and worm 2l in any well known manner. Limit switches 54 and 55 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the machine and are provided with switch arms 56 and 51 which are contacted and moved by bracket 24 if it travels to the extremity of worm 2l to cut off the motor and stop rotation of the worm. rIhis provides a safety measure to prevent damage to the machine if the operator fails to stop the motor in time with the main switch 5l.

While I have herein referred to Molleton as the material for providing outer jackets for the rollers, manifestly other materials may be satisfactorily employed, and may be made up as endless tubing cut to desired lengths. In such cases, the eyeletting operation may still be satisfactory, employed with the attendant advantages above indicated.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided an improved power operated machine for re-sleeving lithograph rollers which effects considerable saving in time over old methods and which is inexpensive to build and easy to operate. Furthermore, the machine is adapted to re-sleeve a large number of different size rollers, it being obvious that a roller of the largest size is illustrated in the drawings.

Although I have herein shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise forms herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensio-ned internally for snugly tting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug fit thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for supporting the roller, movable means for engaging the mandrel after the sleeve has been applied thereto, and reversible power operated means for moving said engaging means to telescope the mandrel and sleeve over the roller and to strip the mandrel therefrom.

2. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a 6 tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug fit thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for xedly supporting said roller, a movable bracket for moving said mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has been applied to said mandrel, said bracket adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over the iixedly supported roller and then to strip said mandrel therefrom, and reversible power operated means for moving said bracket first to perform the jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another jacketing operation.

3. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug i-lt thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for flxedly supporting said roller, movable means for moving said mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has been applied to said mandrel, said movable means adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over said roller and then to strip the mandrel therefrom, and reversible power operated means for moving said movable means rst to perform a complete jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another jacketing operation.

4. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug fit thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for iixedly supporting said roller, movable means for moving said mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has been applied to said mandrel, said movable means adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over said roller and then to strip the mandrel therefrom, and reversible power. operated means for moving said movable means first to perform a complete jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another jacketing operation, said power operated means including a motor, a reversible screw driven by said motor and cooperating threads for said screw on said movable means.

5. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug fit thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for xedly supporting said roller, movable means for moving said mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has been applied to said mandrel, said movable means adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over said roller and then to strip the mandrel therefrom, and reversible power operated means for moving said movable means first to perform a complete jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another jacketing operation, said power operated means including a motor, a reversible screw driven by said motor and cooperating threads for said screw on said movable means, said motor being reversible to reverse the rotation of said screw and the direction of travel of said movable means.

l 6. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprisingv a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly tting telescopically a roller to' be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug t thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for xedly supporting said roller, movable means for moving said mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has been applied to said mandrel, said movable means adaptedV to force the mandrel and sleeve over said roller and then to strip the mandrel therefrom, reversible power operated means for moving said movable means first to perform a complete jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another jacketing operation, said power operated means including a motol, a reversible screw driven by said motor and cooperating threads for said screw on said movable means, said motor being reversible to reverse the rotation of said screw and the direction of travel of said movable means, and limit switches for deenergizing said motor to limitI the travel of said movable means.

7. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug fit thereon of the major portion of the' length of a" tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for xedly supporting said roller, movable means for moving said mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has been appliedto said mandrel, said movable means adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over said roller and then to strip the mandrel therefrom, reversible power operated means for moving said movable means rst to perform a complete jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another jacketing operation, saidl power operated means including a motor, a reversible screw driven by said motor and cooperating threads for said screw on said movable means, and means for preventing rotation of said movable means about said screw.

8. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug fit thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for supporting said roller comprising al guide shaft xedly secured to said apparatus in a position to engage one'end of the roller, movable means for moving the mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has been applied to said'mandrel, said movable means adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve or said xedly supported roller and then to strip said' mandrel therefrom and telescope it over said guide shaft.

9. ApparatusV for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising av hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly tting telescopically a roller to be jacketed,r and dimensioned externally for a snug flt thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent' fabric, means for supporting said roller comprising a guide shaft xedly secured to said apparatus in a position to engage one end of the roller, movablemeansv for moving the mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has lbeen applied to said mandrel, said movable means adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve or' said xedly supported roller and then to strip said mandrel therefrom and telescope it over said guide shaft, and reversible power operated means for moving said movable means iirst to perform a jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another jacketing operation.

10, Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug fit thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, a base plate, an upright secured to said base plate, a platform secured to the upper end of the upright, a motor mounted on said platform, a reversible screw driven by said motor and journalled in the base plate and the platform, means for xedly supporting the roller comprising a guide shaft secured to said base plate, a movable bracket having threads cooperating with said screw to move the bracket up and down between said platform and base plate, said bracket adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over the fixedly supported roller and then to strip said mandrel therefrom, and means for reversing the rotation of screw for moving said bracket first to perform a jacketing` operation and then to a position for initiating another bracketing operation.

l'l. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting te'lescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug nt thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, a basev plate, anl upright secured to said base plate, a platform secured to the upper end of the upright, a motor mounted on said platform, a reversible screw driven by said motor and journalled inA theV base plate and the platform, means for X'edly supporting the roller comprising a" guide shaft secured to said base plate, a movable bracket having threads cooperating with saidV screw to'move the bracket up and down between said platform' and base plate, said'b'racket adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over the xediy' supportedv roller and then to'strip'saidmandrel therefrom, and means for reversing the rotation of screw forl moving said bracket first to perform a jacketing operation and then to a' position for initiatinganother bracketing operation, said upright comprising a U- shaped angle member including a pair of side arms, said arms cooperating with said bracket to prevent rotation thereofY about said screw.

l2. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly tting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug t thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, a base plate, an upright secured to said base plate, a platform secured to upper end of the upright, a motor mounted on said platform, a reversible screw driven by said motor and journalled in the ba-se plate' andd the platform, means'for fixedly supporting the roller comprising a, guide shaft secured to said base plate, a movable bracket having threads cooperating with said screw to move the bracket up and down between said platform and base plate, said bracket adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over the fixedly supported roller and then to strip said mandrel therefrom, and means for reversing the rotation of screw for moving said bracket first to perform a jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another bracketing operation, said upright comprising a U-shaped angle member including a pair of side arms, said bracket having slots therein for receiving said side arms to provide guides for said bracket and to prevent rotation thereof about said screw.

13. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly fitting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug nt thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, a base plate, an upright secured to the base plate, a motor for said apparatus, a reversible screw driven by said motor, means for xedly supporting the roller on said apparatus, a movable bracket having threads cooperating with said screw to move the bracket up and down between said platform and base plate, said bracket adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over the i'ixedly supported roller and then to strip said mandrel therefrom, and means for reversing the rotation of screw for moving said bracket first to perform a jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another bracketing operation.

14. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly tting telescopically a roller to be jacketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug t thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, an angle member, end plates secured to the angle member, a reversible screw journalled in said end plates, means for xedly supporting the roller comprising a guide shaft secured to one of said end plates, a movable bracket having thread cooperating with said screw to move the bracket along the screw, said bracket adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over the xedly supported rolier and then tc strip said mandrel therefrom, and means for reversing the rotation of screw for moving said bracket iirst to perform a jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another bracketing operation.

15. Apparatus for mechanically jacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly tting telescopically a roller to be jaeketed, and dimensioned externally for a snug nt thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for nxedly snpporting said roller, movable means for moving said mandrel and sleeve after the sleeve has been applied to said mandrel, said movable means adapted to force the mandrel and sleeve over said roller and then to strip the mandrel therefrom, and reversible power operated means for moving said movable means first to perform a complete jacketing operation and then to a position for initiating another jacketing operation, a relatively rigid shoulder provided at one end of said sleeve, said shoulder engaging one end of the roller when the sleeve and mandrel are fully telescoped thereon and preventing further movement of said sleeve by said movable means.

16. Apparatus for mechanically `iacketing a roller of a lithograph printing machine with a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric comprising a hollow mandrel dimensioned internally for snugly iitting telescopically a roller to be jacketecl, and dimensioned externally for a snug t thereon of the major portion of the length of a tubular sleeve of absorbent fabric, means for fixedly supporting said roller, a movable bracket having an extension thereon. a stiffening flange at one end of said mandrel, said extension adapted to engage said stilfening ange after the sleeve has been applied to the mandrel, said extension adapted to force the mandrel and the sleeve over said roller and then to strip the mandrel therefrom.

NORMAN A. MACK. 

